About This Location
Look up - the Westertoren is one of those Amsterdam landmarks that seems to float above the canal houses, guiding you through the city like a compass point. It belongs to the Westerkerk, a large Protestant church built between 1620 and 1631 to designs by Hendrick de Keyser, finished by his son Pieter. Now focus on the tower itself. It is the tallest church tower in Amsterdam, rising to about 87 meters, and the crown on top is modeled on the Imperial Crown of Austria of Maximilian I. It’s a bold symbol - almost theatrical - and it turns the skyline into a signature. If you pause and listen, you may catch the sound that locals know by heart. The Westertoren is famous for its carillon, and many of its bells were cast in 1658 by the Hemony brothers, legendary names in Dutch bell-making. That regular chiming is part of the neighborhood’s rhythm, day after day. This spot also carries a much quieter association. Just a short walk from here, the Frank family hid during the Nazi occupation, and Anne Frank wrote about hearing the Westertoren bells - ordinary city sounds that became a lifeline to the outside world. Standing here, it’s easy to understand why this tower feels personal to so many visitors. Now find the Anne Frank Monument on Westermarkt, near the corner by the Prinsengracht. It shows Anne as a young girl, standing upright, and it was made by sculptor Mari Andriessen. The statue was unveiled in 1977, with Anne’s father Otto Frank present, turning this busy square into a place of remembrance.